Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
HALL
OFTEN DESCRIBED as the senior citizens' choir because of their ageing members and appeal to mature audiences, the St. Andrew Choir still maintains youthful harmonies and melodious singing.
Founded in 1947, the St. Andrew Singers was born out of an idea by the Reverend James Crabb and Winnifred Ebanks, then a member of St. Paul's, Lockett Avenue. An early enthusiast about the project was Lindsay Bruce, organist of St. Andrew's Scots Kirk.
Eventually, the choirs of St. Paul's, Lincoln Kirk, St. John's, Webster Memorial and St. Andrew's Scots Kirk, were brought together under the name the United Presbyterian Church Choir, marking the start of a devoted group of singers.
On Good Friday, April 14, 1947, the Choir made its first public appearance when it presented Tozer's 'Way of the Cross'.
After the successful debut performance, persons from other church denominations sought to enrol in the choir and, upon their acceptance into the fold, the name of the choir was changed to The Saint Andrew Singers.
Jean Ewart, a member of the St. Andrew Singers for 52 years, says she, like many of the current members, joined during their teenage years and have held steadfast and firm in their dedication to the choir.
"It (the choir) started as a group of church choirs and the type of music we do is basically church music, but in the earlier days we sang others music like popular songs and Jamaican Folk Music," Ms. Ewart pointed out.
According to Ms. Ewart, over the years time has caught up with some of the members and the numbers have declined in recent years.
"The choir members have now depleted. We over 100 members in the 1960s, but right now we are down to about 30 members. A lot of our members have retired, migrated, died or moved on," she said.
Ms. Ewart maintains that the choir offers its members tremendous experience and exposure, as they have been on international tours and have performed before distinguished personalities from around the world.
The St. Andrew Singers have travelled to Grand Cayman and Washington D.C., in the U.S., but for Ms. Ewart, one of the most memorable performances was right at home in Jamaica, when the choir performed before Her Royal Highness, the Princess Alice, at Kings House on February 12, 1968.
Currently, the St. Andrew Singers are under the musical directorship of Lloyd Hall, who took up the post in 1956.
Hall, who has won many awards for his work in music, both in the United Church and outside, has led the choir in music festivals where they gained many prizes, and introduced the annual staging of events such as a presentation of a St. Cecilia's Day programme and other programmes in rural Jamaica.
It was because the St. Andrew Singers and the St. Jude's Choir shared Lloyd Hall as director that the two merged to consolidate their dwindling numbers.
The combined choir is now referred to as The St. Andrew/St. Jude's Singers.
The choir has two major performances each year, their Good Friday presentation in Easter and the Festival of St. Cecilia, held in November.
According to Ms. Ewart, there are persons who look forward to their recitals each year and this year's November show will be very special.
"This year will be the 50th anniversary and it will be held at the University Chapel (UWI, Mona) in November. Even though our following consists mostly of older persons, we try to cater for all. In our last concert we had a mix, which catered even for the children and young people," Ewart said.
The work never ceases, as this committed group of experienced singers has to work just as hard as any other choir in order to attain high levels of production.
"We rehearse every week in the year and when it is coming on to our recital time we rehearse twice per week, where we even keep a register that is marked each week," Ms. Ewart said.
Members have to be committed to the cause and this high level of discipline is cited as one of the major factors why younger persons have declined to join the group in recent times.
They may be getting up in age, but the St. Andrew Singers still maintain their vibrancy and chirpy voices as they continue to sing for the Lord.
